Helaine Becker

Anyone who knows me knows I am not a fan of picture book biographies. My objections are many - they focus more on the artistic side than the informational side, they don't provide enough context for the age and knowledge of the assumed reader, they don't circulate... but every once in a while I find an exception and this is absolutely a book I will happily purchase for the library!

In simple, brisk language Becker tells the story of Johnson's youth as a math prodigy, the many barriers she show more faced, and the support of her family and her own enthusiasm and determination that helped her move past them to become an integral part of NASA. The science behind the rockets and Johnson's math is explained in easy metaphors and illustrations and Katherine's refrain, "count on me" keeps readers following and connecting the story to the end.

An author's note explains more details about Katherine Johnson's life and work and gives a brief list of sources. The endpages are covered in mathematical calculations, many of them accessible to young readers "Find the volume of an ice cream cone" and the cheerful, bright illustrations personify Johnson's determination to follow her dreams despite many barriers. This is an authorized biography, for which Becker interviewed Katherine Johnson and her family.

This picture book biography works because it explains Johnson's life in a way that kids can grasp - her love of math, her involvement in the space program, and offers enough context for them to have an understanding of the time period - her family having to move to a different town for her to attend high school and the discrimination she faced, "They were given the tasks that men thought were boring and unimportant."

Verdict: Hand this to young readers who are interested in space and science and recommend to teachers presenting lessons on the space race, biographies, and looking to diversify their classrooms.

ISBN: 978125013524; Published 2018 by Christy Ottaviano/Henry Holt; Borrowed from another library in my consortium show less

When I wrote this I was currently weeding the nonfiction and uneasily eyeing the 567s, knowing that it was time to weed, weed, weed, and replace. It's one of the sections that tends to get outdated fast, surpassed only by celebrity biographies and books on the government (the modern Congress in the Vietnam war? Did you know President Clinton is planning to reform health care?). Dinosaurs and fossils are tricky, because I really have to depend on reviews for accuracy - it's not a subject I show more personally am competent to judge.

So, when I find a book that my librarian instincts say "this will circulate!" and all the reviews give a thumbs up for accuracy, I am right there with my budget at the ready! Becker has written a large number of children's books, primarily nonfiction, and the illustrator, John Bindon, specializes in prehistoric life art for museums as well as movies and television. Warning: If you have any kind of bug phobias, this book is not for you.

After an introduction, explaining what an arthropod is and the eras of the earth, Becker profiles seven giant creatures that once roamed the earth. There's an illustration that runs across half the spread, a dramatic name "The Pincher," and various facts about about its adaptations, size, and probable diet and behavior. Readers will see a two-foot scorpion, eight-foot millipede and more! The book discusses the most likely reasons these creatures grew so large (oxygen) and then jumps into a spread of giant arthropods today, like the Japanese spider crab or giant burrowing cockroach. The final pages include speculation on "megabugs of the future" and a note on how the illustrations were created. I really appreciated this, as I'm always wondering, in prehistoric nonfiction, how they knew or guessed what they looked like? Back matter includes a glossary, further reading, and index.

Verdict: Sure to fly off your shelves, this is a great addition to your dinosaur and other prehistoric life sections. Recommended.

ISBN: 9781771388115; Published October 2019 by Kids Can Press; Borrowed from another library in my consortium show less

In this engaging and inspiring biography, a groundbreaking but relatively unknown woman finally gets her due as one of the most influential mathematicians of the twentieth century.

Emmy Noether is not pretty, quiet, good at housework or eager to marry ― all the things a German girl is expected to be in her time. What she is, though, is a genius at math. When she grows up, she finds a way to first study math at a university (by sitting in, not actually enrolling) and then to teach it (by show more doing so for free). She also manages to do her own research into some of the most pressing math and physics problems of the day. And though she doesn’t get much credit during her lifetime, her discoveries continue to influence how we understand the world today. show less

Deck the Halls by Helaine Becker, illustrated by Werner Zimmerman and published by North Winds Press.
Every year in our advent calendar, every fourth day or so is reserved for a Christmas book. It's so much fun to open up the books each year and read and remember what we love about them. Deck the Halls is one of three books that are Canadian versions of your favourite Christmas carols. We especially love Deck the Halls because it is such a cozy little story/song. Perfect to bring out when show more you begin decorating for the holidays. It will make you long for being with family surrounded by a roaring fire, belly full of delicious food.
It's hard to read this story as all you will want to do is sing your way through it. The best part is the sheet music is provided for you at the end so you can strike up the family band and update your repertoire. show less